The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-23
Condition of the Northern Prison.

The Senate committee on prisons, in its report
the northern institution, submitted yesterday,
that the sanitary condition is good, the yards
kept neat, with good stone walks around and
leading to every building; the cel-houses are
clean and well-ventilated. heated by steam and
kept pure with frequent coats of whitewash.
Each prisoner is supp lied with every thing neces
sary to his comfort. The same commentator is
passed upon the hospital. The prison library
consists of 1900 Volumes selected from the best
standard authors. A complete and systematic
catalogue is kept, and an account of books fur
nished to each prisoner is of accurate record
The moral instructor found to be very in
telligent and conscientious man. deeply inter
ested in his work. Religious services are held
every Sunday in the chapel. at which choir and
music. In the Sunday school the illt-
ate are taught. and several con-
victs have learned to read and
write since they entered this prison. Hard la.
Tor for ten hours each day is the practical diff
Guilty in the way of mental instruction. When
they physically tired it is difficult to interest
their minds and besides, no school-room is con-
veniently arranged for the purpose. The COM
mittee on this account, recommends that the
hours of labor of the young and illiterate be
shortened so that at least an hour during the
working hours of each day may be devoted to
their mental and moral instruction and that the
profits of this prison not to exceed So 900 in the
erection and furnishing of a suitable and conve
nient room
The supplies are purchased for cash in large
| quantities and at wholesale rates. thus saving
from 10 to 20 per cent their cost to the State.
| The financial system of the prison is complete
and accurate. Up to Feb. 16, 1887, all bills
| against the prison had been paid and there was
| on hand $40, 139. 10, after having expended over
| $26 900 in erecting new buildings and improve
ments during the past year. The cash and bank
| account of the warden were examined and found
to be correct Improvements in w..en and bath
house, insane wards and rnop buildings recently
| made hava addAa vefy largely to the sanitary
condition and material prosperity of the prison.
| Hearty Acknowledgement is given of the assist
| anee of the directors warden and other officers
in their inspection and investigation
Upon the subject of prison reform the commit
| tee speaks emphatical]y against the congregate
/ system of mingling and associating young men
! convicted for the first time and perhaps for a
| comparatively trivial ofense, with counterfeit
| ers burglars and murderers, with men utterly
| depraved in nature and hardened in crime.
| There many young men in State prisons
| whose criminality is the result of some temper
| airy and unfortunate condition of mind and out
\ ward circumstances. who do mot possess the
criminal nature whom entering, and who are
| capable and worthy of mental Improvement and
| moral resuscitaton. The committee recommends
| strict classification and separation of prison
ers, but as it is hardly practicable to accomplish
THIS Wltnn the same prison walls It's is proposed
| that industrial school be established
to which shall be sent young and less hardened
criminals, in which the mental and moral i'm
provement OF the prisoners shall be the chief OBJ
| ject. There should be maintained in the State
one prison and industrial school. Under
this arrangement it is recommended to use the
| Northern prison for the older and more hard
ened criminals, and that the Prison South be
| abandoned and sold whenever an industrial
school shall be built and proper arrangement is
made for the disposition of the prisoners
1t is also recommended that % per cent of the
net profits of the prisons be divided among the
prisoners an additional inducemert to and re-
ward for industry and good conduct Many OF
the time prisoners have been convicted for
taking human life in fit of drunkenness
great portion, rule, said to be the bes
behaved of prisoners. A parole system. to bs
used at the discretion Of directors and warden
with the consent of the Governor, is recon.
mended. SO that such convicts may have some
J hope for the future, and some inducement and
reward for proper conduct. It is also suggested
that the State should see to it. through al
agent otherwise. that discharged convict,
can find employment, and encouragement
IN every way to feel that they could become mel